We are finally going to get our tow bar and brake system. We are installing it on our Newmar coach and a 2006 Honda CRV. The question I have is about the rock guard. Do we really need one? If we do any recommendations to either the vertical or horizontal one would be great. They quoted us on ones called The Guardian or The Tow Defender which I think is made by Roadmaster.
Selah said
07:16 PM Feb 4, 2014
Some people tow without any toad protection and seem to get by OK, others not so much. I personally use the Protect-a-Tow. It is a simple mesh fabric and elastic cord that goes between the toad and MH. It is simple to hook up and stores in a bag about 6" in dia and about 24" long. There are a couple of other brands that are similar.
What ever you get keep it simple or you will be less likely to use it every time, like short trips.
Oregonhiker said
07:31 AM Feb 5, 2014
I like the idea of it. I also agree about keeping it simple or I will say to myself that it's just a short drive and why bother. Does it seem like it is a durable product to you? I found some reviews on other sites and they also said good things about the product. Thank you for the help.
el Rojo and Pam said
08:11 AM Feb 5, 2014
I used the Guardian and it worked good,but it's huge to store. The gas MH didn't throw too many rocks, but the 2 diesel pushers did. They chipped up the windshield pretty good. I think I would try what Selah suggested if I go that route again.
Red
Trabuco said
08:54 AM Feb 5, 2014
We use the guardian rock guard from Roadmaster with the stowaway. When your in camp you slip the rock guard off the front of your toad and store it on the rear of the MH. It's a 60 second operation that works for me. If it was too much trouble I wouldn't use it. Not one chip for the year and a half we've been on the road
bjoyce said
08:54 AM Feb 5, 2014
If your motorhome mud flap hangs too close to the ground it will flip rocks up on the toad. It needs to be 2 to 4" above the ground. In Alaska we bungee corded ours even higher.
Bill and Linda said
09:31 AM Feb 5, 2014
bjoyce wrote:
If your motorhome mud flap hangs too close to the ground it will flip rocks up on the toad. It needs to be 2 to 4" above the ground. In Alaska we bungee corded ours even higher.
X2 -A lot
FWIW - The first recommendation of the “pros” going to Alaska was to get rid of (or lash up) the rock guard.They do more damage than good picking up rocks as the coach bounces a bit and actually picks up rocks and sends them to the toad.The first thing the RV repair people told those with MHs was to get rid of the rock guards or prepare to repair the toads from damage.
The guards placed right on the front of the toad did the best job protecting them.
Barbaraok said
10:06 AM Feb 5, 2014
We haven't had one in 8 years of traveling. We were going to get one the first year out, but were always in the wrong place, had other things to fix, etc., so never got around to doing it. Do have large mud flaps right behind the tires (as required by Texas law).
Barb
bjoyce said
12:09 PM Feb 5, 2014
Barb: I and the other Bill are talking about the mud flap that goes across the entire rear of many motorhomes, with the brand name on it.
Lucky Mike said
12:14 PM Feb 5, 2014
I use a hula skirt type... I dont have problems with road debri..........of course this is New England and pot holes do more damage to a vehicle than a rock!
Barbaraok said
03:01 PM Feb 6, 2014
bjoyce wrote:
Barb: I and the other Bill are talking about the mud flap that goes across the entire rear of many motorhomes, with the brand name on it.
Yes, I know. We were considering getting one, but didn't, and haven't had anything other than the mud flaps behind the tires and in over 8 years haven't had any damage to to the Subaru we pull.
Barb
Oregonhiker said
09:47 AM Feb 8, 2014
Thank you all for some different ideas on this. I am thinking of doing the flap all the way across the back as it seems to work well for those who use it. I will just make sure that we have clearance between it and the road as to not pick up road debris. Everyone is always so helpful on here and I appreciate it so much.
TRAILERKING said
10:22 PM Feb 8, 2014
We just have individual mud flaps on the DPMH we have now. We pull a dolly with a car on it and have had no issues. However I'm very picky on the roads I run on too. I the road is poorer shape and I have to run it then I run a little slower. When we had the 27' Jayco trailer, I pulled with my 1/2 ton, and had the skirt like Mike mentioned. It works good keeps down any small rocks.
-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Saturday 8th of February 2014 10:25:53 PM
We are finally going to get our tow bar and brake system. We are installing it on our Newmar coach and a 2006 Honda CRV. The question I have is about the rock guard. Do we really need one? If we do any recommendations to either the vertical or horizontal one would be great. They quoted us on ones called The Guardian or The Tow Defender which I think is made by Roadmaster.
What ever you get keep it simple or you will be less likely to use it every time, like short trips.
I like the idea of it. I also agree about keeping it simple or I will say to myself that it's just a short drive and why bother. Does it seem like it is a durable product to you? I found some reviews on other sites and they also said good things about the product. Thank you for the help.
Red
X2 - A lot
FWIW - The first recommendation of the “pros” going to Alaska was to get rid of (or lash up) the rock guard. They do more damage than good picking up rocks as the coach bounces a bit and actually picks up rocks and sends them to the toad. The first thing the RV repair people told those with MHs was to get rid of the rock guards or prepare to repair the toads from damage.
The guards placed right on the front of the toad did the best job protecting them.
Barb
Yes, I know. We were considering getting one, but didn't, and haven't had anything other than the mud flaps behind the tires and in over 8 years haven't had any damage to to the Subaru we pull.
Barb
We just have individual mud flaps on the DPMH we have now. We pull a dolly with a car on it and have had no issues. However I'm very picky on the roads I run on too. I the road is poorer shape and I have to run it then I run a little slower. When we had the 27' Jayco trailer, I pulled with my 1/2 ton, and had the skirt like Mike mentioned. It works good keeps down any small rocks.
-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Saturday 8th of February 2014 10:25:53 PM